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My question, are two part time compliance officers enough given the time it takes to respond to potential transgressions particularly where safety could be an aspect.

I appreciate planning is probably a small part of the authority`s remit but surely speedy intervention before things go to far would save a long expensive drawn out process later and prevent a risk to public safety.

Planning is an important part of the Authority’s remit which we give a high priority. We take compliance and enforcement very seriously and have maintained our staffing for this part of the service when other local planning authorities have either reduced theirs or even ceased that activity completely. However, our intention is to continue to provide an effective compliance and enforcement service, and we are actually investigating the feasibility to increase the resources allocated to it.

Our approach is to be proactive in the monitoring of conditions attached to planning applications rather than take a purely reactive stance. It has been evidenced in the past that development on the ground is not always built in accordance with the plans approved by the Authority.

If development has taken place which has a serious adverse impact and is not in accordance with the Authority’s policies then enforcement action to rectify the situation may be taken, and the Authority has had cases when action had to be taken accordingly. Where we receive information from the public about a potential infringement of planning regulations we aim to respond by carrying out a site visit and taking action if it is appropriate. In the case of serious breaches we would take immediate action.

The workshop shelter at the Dockyard is not a permanently fixed structure. It has been confirmed that it does not require planning permission.

There is a simple process for a landowner ascertaining whether he or she requires planning permission and that is to seek the professional advice of one of our planning officers. Failure to seek advice at an early stage or to provide information when requested may require the Authority to undertake further enquiries. The Authority is one of the few local planning authorities to continue to provide free pre-application advice.

I made a Freedom of Information request in relation to the tent at the dockyard.

There is no record of the Authority having made any enquiries of its own planning department either prior to, or after, erecting the structure.

After two Broads Authority members, and various members of the public, reported the tent as a possible breach of planning control, a planning officer visited and reported that the tent was definitely there, and being used.

That was the documented extent of the planning investigation and enforcement action taken by the BA in relation to this tent.

Compare and contrast with our tents at WRC, one twelfth the size and present for one eighth of the time, compared to the BA’s tent. Numerous emails demanding details of their construction, size, etc, 2 site visits and a report to the planning committee before they had even determined whether to take enforcement action. Which is a breach of their own Enforcment Plan and National Planning Guidance.